Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 5th December, 2017.

I, REGINA DOHERTY, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 26 (3) of the Social Welfare Act 2016 (No. 15 of 2016) (as adapted by the Social Protection (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2017 (No. 366 of 2017)), hereby order as follows:

1. This Order may be cited as the Social Welfare Act 2016 (Section 4) (Commencement) Order 2017.

2. The 1st day of December 2017 is appointed as the day on which section 4 of the Social Welfare Act 2016 (No. 15 of 2016) shall come into operation.

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

23 November 2017.

REGINA DOHERTY,

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

This Order provides for the commencement of section 4 of the Social Welfare Act 2016 with effect from 1 December 2017.

Section 4 provides for the extension of eligibility for Invalidity Pension to people who are self-employed (i.e. PRSI Class S contributors).